Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Cuba’s telecom company ETECSA issues ban on “blacklisted” cell phones

Cuba's telecom company ETECSA issues ban on "blacklisted" cell phones

ETECSA announced new regulations that will forbid connecting cell lines
on "blacklisted" devices. Users in Cuba who already have cell phones
with invalid codes should replace their phones before May 18, 2018.
ABEL FERNÁNDEZ
staff@InCubaToday.com

ETECSA, Cuba's only telecom company, has issued new regulations
prohibiting its clients to connect new lines on cell phones that are
"blacklisted" — that is that have been reported lost or stolen.

The measure, announced Monday in the government newspaper Juventud
Rebelde, also stipulates that ETECSA clients who already have cell
phones with invalid IMEI codes — a unique code that identifies every
cell phone — must replace them before May 18, 2018.

According to a company statement, the new regulations are intended to
"protect the population" from acquiring cell phones with fraudulent IMEI
codes.

"Those users who insert their SIM card in a phone that is blacklisted,
will see their lines automatically blocked," the company statement says,
adding that "in those cases, the account holder has up to 5 business
days to appear in the commercial offices of ETECSA and clarify the
causes of the event in order to unlock the phone line."

"If they don't tend to this matter within that time frame, service will
be suspended," the statement says.

ETECSA said that the ban is due to an increase in the number of reports
tied to thefts and/or loss of cell phones as well as unauthorized
changes of IMEI codes "by unscrupulous citizens to allow illegal use of
these phones that are blacklisted (blocked)."

The use of cell phones has grown significantly over the past couple of
years. Many of the devices are brought into the island by visiting
relatives or friends.

The company also recommended that its clients "pay attention when buying
cell phones from individuals or websites unrecognized by the
manufacturer or operator."

Customers can check in the company's website to check the IMEI codes of
any device they intend to buy before making the purchase.

Source: Cuba's telecom company ETECSA issues ban on "blacklisted" cell
phones | In Cuba Today -
http://www.incubatoday.com/news/article78141382.html

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